Lorna the Exorcist (1974) User Reviews

Franco's sexy fairytale

[The_Void · 6/10 · 11 December 2008]

The vast filmography of Jess Franco is littered with cheap timewasters that are not of interest to anyone; but among those films are some real gems. Lorna the Exorcist, however, falls somewhere between the two sets of films; it's not vintage Franco, but it's better than a lot of his stuff and does at least make for a decent viewing. I had a feeling that this film may be a rip off of another film released in the early seventies with the word 'Exorcist' in the title; but actually the film is more of a nightmarish fairy tale with some sex involved (although clearly the film is cashing in on the title!). The plot focuses on a businessman named Patrick. He takes his wife and daughter on holiday; but things turn awry for Patrick when a woman named Lorna turns up. Lorna and Patrick had relations some years earlier and it emerges that Lorna is some kind of witch that has power over various women; including his daughter, who is almost ready to turn eighteen. Lorna begins to infiltrate Patrick's life, and he tries to protect his daughter.

The main draw of this film for most Franco fans will undoubtedly be the beautiful Lina Romay who stars as the eighteen year old daughter. The rest of the cast is nothing to write home about; but there is a role for Franco stalwart Howard Vernon, as well as sometimes collaborator Pamela Stanford in the central role. The version of the film that I saw ran for just over eighty minutes, and I wouldn't be surprised to find that its cut as the film is not particularly graphic or disturbing. There is a fair bit of sex; including lesbian sex and we are treated to the entire usual trademark Franco zoom shots. The most memorable scene takes place in the bedroom and involves a really bad case of crabs! The plot itself takes a backseat to the atmosphere and sleaze elements, but it's actually not too badly worked and it does at least succeed in keeping the film interesting for most of the duration. Overall, Lorna the Exorcist is not hugely memorable and is in no way a classic horror film; but it's decent enough stuff and most Franco fans wont regret tracking it down.

Lorna

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 22 February 2022]

Patrick Mariel (Guy Delorme) decides to take his perfect family to the south of France on holiday, but before long, his wie Marianne (Jacqueline Laurent) and his on the cusp of womanhood daughter Linda (Lina Romay).

Yet before they even depart, threatening phone calls start coming in to their home from Lorna (Pamela Stanford), a woman from Patrick's wild past who is either or noth the reason for his success and someone who has transcended mortality and become a demonic succubus, as a Jess Franco character often does. The deal that she made in blood with Patrick has come due and now, she'd rather take Linda than anything else.

Stanford was also in Franco's Succubus, but here she's coating her face in tons of makeup and unleashing small crabs on her victims and you know, you can't say that Jess Franco doesn't try to make it weird, you know?

Franco made this movie for producer Robert de Nesle, who put it out as a clone of The Exorcist, as happened often in the 70s, then re-released it with inserts and called it Luscious Linda, as if trying to figure out what Franco movie is what, as the director also made The Story of Linda, AKA Captive Women, as well as Who Raped Linda?

And because this is Jess Franco, he remade this movie in 2002 as the shot on video Incubus.

Why does the name Linda keep cropping up in Franco films?

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 17 April 2024]

I imagine that Lorna the Exorcist was given its title to try and cash in on the success of The Exorcist (1973), but the film is actually a Faustian tale with very little in common with William Friedkin's movie.

Guy Delorme plays successful businessman Patrick Mariel, who suddenly changes a family vacation from St. Tropez to Camargue, much to the disappointment of his soon-to-be-18-year-old daughter Linda (Lina Romay). Once in Camargue, Patrick meets with a mysterious woman named Lorna (Pamela Stanford), who sports hideous eye make-up that resembles a cross between Captain Spaulding, a drag queen and Peter Criss from KISS. It turns out that Lorna is an emissary of Satan who, eighteen years earlier, promised Patrick wealth and success if he promised to hand over his then unborn daughter to Lorna once she reached her 18th birthday. Now the time has come for him to keep his end of the bargain but he is reluctant to do so.

Being a Franco film from the '70s, Lorna the Exorcist is chock full of the director's trademark tedious sex scenes (mostly lesbian), with even more of his in-your-face crotch shots than usual (I must have seen every inch of Romay's body in close-up by now). The frequent frottering and bumping and grinding is dull and repetitive and seriously hinders the storytelling. That said, there are two things about the film that are guaranteed to stick in the mind: the worst case of crabs imaginable, and the deflowering of Linda with a big stone dildo (possibly the most shocking scene I have witnessed in a Franco movie so far).

5/10 - At roughly 100 minutes, the uncut version of the film feels unnecessarily padded out with sex scenes and shots of '70s architecture.

Lorna the Exorcist

[Michael_Elliott · 3 December 2008]

Lorna the Exorcist (1974)

*** (out of 4)

One of cult director Jess Franco's best films, Patrick Mariel (Guy Delorme) makes a deal with his ex-lover (Pamela Stanford) that if she grants him riches that she can have his daughter when she turns 18. Now 18-years-old, the witch Lorna comes to visit Linda (Lina Romay) in a very sexual way. LORNA THE EXORCIST is around in many different versions but the recent release from Mondo Macabro presents the film with a running time of 100-minutes. This here is about twelve-minutes longer than the previous version I watched and I must admit that I preferred the shorter one. Several of the scenes in the longer version just drag on a bit too much and there's really nothing added except for the one legendary and talked about scenes that finally appeared in the film. This of course is the much discussed dildo sequence, which is perfectly executed by Franco who manages to milk every painful moment from it. The same is true for the crab sequences, which are among the most memorable and creepy from any film the director has made. These two scenes alone certainly stand out but the film offers up much more. I think the atmosphere is what the director really nails and this is especially true during the sexual scenes where we're given a dream-like quality to them. The film really does seem like a nightmare that has come to life and all the credit must go to Franco. It certainly doesn't hurt that we're given some fine performances with both Stanford and Delorme really standing out in their parts. Romay clearly steals the film as her sexuality and beauty are perfectly captures on screen and it's easy to see why her and Franco would become partners. There are some problems with the film including the already mentioned longer version but I also think that the film does drag in both versions. There's just not too much going on in the story to really warrant the extended running time. Still, LORNA THE EXORCIST is one of the director's best and most hypnotic films.

Simplistic fairytale story combined with sex!

[m_deathbringer · 3/10 · 14 January 2005]

I got this movie off a website for $10 US dollars, which is like £5 right now (thanks, mister bush), and, well if i had paid any more i would have been angry, as it was i was only a bit annoyed. They played it up as an ultra-violent, disturbing and sexual Excorsist knock-off. Well the sexual content was certainly there (it can still be used as a porno), the violence is almost non-existent (someone is mildly threatened by a cheesy hired goon in one scene), and aside from a woman getting a bad case of 'crabs', I've seen more disturbing episodes of Thomas the tank engine. In all this is a pretty bad movie that doesn't know what it wants or how to get it, but at least features a lot of lesbianism to keep the interest up.

Tally: Sex: 9/10, Drugs: 0/10, Rock 'n roll: 0/10, Classic cars: 4/10, Zombies: 0/10, Gore: 1/10

Spoilers follow ...

[parry_na · 7/10 · 8 June 2017]

It is worth pointing out that there are no exorcists, or exorcisms, in this film. To make up for any disappointment this revelation may bring, we are recompensed with numerous invasive scenes featuring Lina Romay (who plays Linda), Jacqueline Laurent (Marianne) and Pamela Stanford (the very frightening Lorna of the title). In fact, the films opens with a ten minute scene of graphic lesbian pornography. You guessed it – this is a Jess Franco picture. As such, it is almost as if two separate projects have been spliced together. For a change, however, this is almost certainly not the case. What we have then, is a Faustian storyline played by a very good cast, interspersed with elongated moments of pretty hard-core porn. Does one element distract from the other? That's for the individual to decide – for me, it presents blatantly, even by his own standards, Franco's unwillingness to play by any rules.

The story. Patrick Mariel (Guy Delorme) is a wealthy businessman with a loving wife and occasionally troublesome daughter, who is about to celebrate her 18th birthday. His problems stem from his own stupidity – many years ago, when he was penniless and suicidal, he made a deal with the mysterious Lorna (with whom his daughter suspects he is having an affair), whereby he would become financially successful in exchange for his then unborn daughter, on her 18th birthday.

Stanford as the formidable demon, sports the most appalling overuse of eye make-up. Such a mask-like touch could look ridiculous, but she actually looks incredibly unnerving, in part due to her confident and alluring performance. Her henchman Mariuziuz is played by Howard Vernon, but with her powers, he seems superfluous – which is something of a waste of Vernon's talents. Knowing Franco's schedule, Vernon was probably busy working on another film for the director at the same time! During the longest of his two scenes, Mariuziuz throws Mariel out of Lorna's apartment, after trying unsuccessfully to open a stubborn sliding door two or three times. Strange they didn't allow a retake.

To add to the spice, Lorna refers to Linda as her daughter throughout, which gives the sex scenes between them an extra incestuous edge. There is also a scene where Marianne is festooned with crabs which is extreme and guaranteed to raise an eyebrow or two. Equally, the brutal use of a dildo later on makes the viewer wince somewhat. Franco's camera is obsessed with every area of intimacy; with any other director, you might assume the zooms and out-of-focus moments are borne out of over-excitement – with Franco, it's a trademark. Inappropriate music abounds (courtesy of classical guitarist André Bénichou and Robert de Nesle), especially in the climactic scenes, which due to Romay, are powerful and delightfully unselfconscious. Her scenes toward the end, when her 'new' nature takes over, are really well acted – subtly to begin with (not something you often find in these kind of films), and full-on terrifying the nearer we get to the end. And the camera, so intrusive, does Romay few favours, lingering far too long on a final huge-eyed close-up.

A genuinely perverse and affecting film then, and one of the director's most personal. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend watching it on a first date.

Simply Amazing!

[Shaza123 · 8/10 · 12 July 2013]

I am relatively new to Jess Franco, my first ever movie of his being the hilariously bad yet still entertaining White Cannibal Queen. Quite often I hear Lorna the Exorcist mentioned as being a good movie, so I decided to finally watch it tonight, deliberately going in knowing nothing about it except it is a Jess Franco movie. Wow...just wow...what an amazing film!

Linda, played by the very young and incredibly beautiful Lina Romay, is about to turn 18. Everything is going to plan to celebrate her birthday, until her father Patrick gets an unsettling phone call from a mysterious woman called Lorna. Lorna wants Linda, and she'll stop at nothing to get her. Now she is appearing in Linda's dreams, and Patrick must do everything he can to save his only daughter from this mysterious woman, who appears to be capable of possessing others. But is he too late?...

There is something so beautiful about this movie. The score is just so beautiful, and goes so well with our beautiful stars, who are not shy to show their perfect bodies. Nor is the camera shy to get close enough for graphic details. Fans of the female form can rejoice as this movie focuses on beauty and perfection, especially private areas. Same might call this movie sleazy, and while it's one of the most explicit I have seen, there is something so hynotising about it, you just can't look away. It's like a dream that slowly descends into a nightmare. I don't think this movie is sleazy, I think it's amazing. I gotta find it interesting that this movie can be simultaneously arousing and disturbing at the same time. I don't think I have ever seen a movie quite like this before. At times beautiful and at others, downright horrifying!

The performances were fantastic, some even emotional! One of the most touching moments for me was when Jacqueline Laurent, playing the wife stands by her husband because nothing can destroy their love, even in times of trial. It really was such an emotional and beautiful scene. I loved it. Pamela Stanford is just hypnotic as the seductress Lorna. Her bright green eye shadow giving her such a menacing look with the stare that would freeze you up. Guy Delorme as Patrick also gives a strong performance as the tired and stressed father, doing everything he can to save his daughter, but the real star of this movie is the stunning Lina Romay. She played this part bravely as the innocent Linda, ready to be corrupted by the seductress Lorna. Her natural beauty highlighting her innocent nature. Her performance at the end is absolutely terrifying and bound to stay with you for a while. I do have to wonder if the makers of Sleepaway Camp saw this movie. Those who have seen the ending will know why.

There are at least a couple of scenes that will have you raising your eyebrows. This is quite an explicit movie, and by explicit, I mean practically pornographic. And while some ... um....love scenes.... are more than a little raunchy, some are intense and frightening! There is something so disturbing and horrifying about a couple of scenes. No doubt this movie caused some controversy.

My only complaint is this movie does drag a little in certain parts. At 99 mins, some scenes needn't be as long as they were. Still, it kept my attention and even caused my jaw to drop (multiple times) so I have to take my hat off to Mr Franco. This truly is such an amazing and awe struck film. One I believe I will be watching again.

It's all about crabs...

[matheusmarchetti · 10/10 · 31 March 2011]

No, this is not another European cash-in on "The Exorcist", unlike what it's title may suggest. It is, however, the most disturbing and shocking Jess Franco film I've seen. Hell, it is one of the most disturbing horrors I've seen, which is surprising considering this is a virtually bloodless film. It's horror relies, instead, in it's totally demented instances of psychosexual hysteria that can also be found in works such as "Possession" or "Dr. Jekyll and his Women". Franco haters tend to dismiss his work as amateurish and crude, and this criticism can be applied, in a way, to this film in particular. However, in this case, it works in favor of the film, coming across as making it's raw, gritty atmosphere all the more authentic. André Bénichou's haunting, experimental score also adds a lot to it. And for those who think Lina Romay has little to do in the director's works other than having to masturbate in close-ups, her performance here is a truly stunning tour-de-force that has to be seen to be believed, up there with other portrayals of sexually frustrated women in horror films, such as Catherine Denueve in "Repulsion" or Mimsy Farmer in "The Perfume of the Lady in Black". Her sex scenes with the equally bewildering Pamela Stanford (the titular villain), though graphic, are anything but sexy, and her final, extended "intimate" sequence is bound to make your jaw drop to the floor, not only because of what is shown, but also because of it's context. And that's not even the film's most shocking bit to begin with (anyone who's seen the film know about THE particular scene I'm referring to, and I dare not spoil it for those who haven't seen it). "Lorna the Exorcist" seems to have some kind of popularity with Franco haters, so I beg you to give it a shot. Even if you don't like it at all, one can't deny it will haunt you for days to follow.

Dark and gloomy Franco.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 10 April 2011]

An affluent businessman Patrick Mariel must protect his wife Marianne and nineteen year old daughter Linda against Lorna,a predatory witch who once helped the family attain wealth and status and now demands Lorna's soul as her payment."Lorna the Exorcist" is a pretty unnerving and extremely sleazy horror movie made by Jesus Franco.There is plenty of sex(both lesbian and heterosexual) and lots of full-frontal nudity provided by Lina Romay,Jacqueline Laurent and Pamela Stanford.The action mostly takes place in modernist hotels and casinos.There is a strong fairly tale ambiance and plenty of perversity.The scene in which Lorna deflowers Linda by first having teenage girl suck from her breast and then by shattering her virginity with a dildo is truly unsettling as is the final descent of Linda into madness.8 exorcisms out of 10.

Classic Jess Franco

[Falconeer · 8/10 · 22 November 2012]

A very young Lina Romay stars in this Jess Franco classic about a wealthy business man who makes a deal with a female demon; in exchange for wealth and prosperity, daddy promises his first born daughter to the sexy, mysterious Lorna. He doesn't take any of it seriously, until 18 years later, when Lorna returns to claim his nubile 18 year old daughter (Lina Romay in an early role) for her own. "Lorna the Exorcist" features wall-to-wall style, typical of director Jess Franco. Swanky casinos, nightclubs and beautiful homes and fashions, combined with a sultry and bizarre jazz score. And bizarre this film is; weird, even by Franco standards. It is never really explained why Lorna wears the crazy green eyeshadow halfway up her forehead; but the story is good, and there are some nice twists and surprises. The sex is extremely graphic here, bordering on hardcore. if you want to see ALL of Lina Romay, this is the one to seek out. I think the film would have been a bit better without the open clitoris scenes, as those elements take the viewer a bit out of the story, as things are put on hold for close-up vaginal shots. They are sexy, but unnecessary in a film that is good enough to maintain interest without them. The original language seems to be French, and the version I have seen is the longer 97 minute cut. For Jess Franco fans, "Lorna the Exorcist" is one to track down. And for fans of Lina Romay, this film is mandatory viewing! Romay, barely 19 years old here, has long hair, instead of the short cut that she sported later on. And Lorna must have kept her promise, because the home they live in is an absolute palace. The scene where Lorna "takes" Lina's soul is shocking and unforgettable!

Great erotic sleaze film...title very misleading

[joshjack-35680 · 8/10 · 17 November 2019]

This is one of jess franco's most erotic films. Contains some hardcore lesbianism between lina romay and Pamela Stanford. But overall a pretty good film but the title really has nothing to do with the film. There is no excorsism or exorcist in this film.

Jess Franco's take on the Exercise.

[rebel-41301 · 10/10 · 30 January 2022]

This is Franco so u know your In for something powerful, different, Memorizing, and Sexy! This has beautiful Cinematography I love what Franco did with this take on a Exercise type film not what you Expect very original I highly recommend it to Franco fans or to the ones that love different. 10/10.